Manchester City: Twitter reacts to Barcelona penalty incident

Manchester City were beaten 2-0 by Spanish giants Barcelona tonight at the Etihad , with goals from Lionel Messi and Dani Alves all but securing the Catalan side’s progression to the quarter finals of the Champions League.

The match hinged on a hugely contentious penalty decision given against City early in the second half. Leo Messi was clean through on goal, albeit slightly to the right of the box, and Martin Demichelis took the gamble of trying to sweep his leg around the his compatriot, and save the day for City.

The veteran defender clearly mistimed his challenge, and brought the Barca star down illegally, but was it in the box?

Demichelis was given his marching orders, and the penalty was clinically dispatched by Messi.

To City’s credit, the match did not become a training event for Barca, as was expected. Pellegrini’s side battled hard, and substitute Dzeko had a particularly decent last 20 minutes, terrorising Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano, while David Silva’s passing was magnificent at times.

But try as they might, Barca dealt the killer blow through Dani Alves, right on the 90, with City now facing an practical insurmountable task at the Nou Camp on March 12th.

Twitter has reacted strongly to the penalty descision that gave the impetus to Barca, and while there can be little objection as to Demichelis’ dismissal, many insist that the ball was clearly outside the box.

Only thing is…that occurred just outside the area, and Messi fell down in the area. Should have been a red, but not a straight penalty.

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Based in London, I am a freelance journalist and a real football fanatic.
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I dream of reporting on football in the far flung reaches of the globe. A graduate from the London School of Journalism, I am passionate and determined to bring an impartial view on the game we all love and crave.

3 Comments

In the know18 February, 2014

Original try to get ball outside box first contact with Messi just inside box definite penalty so deserved Barca win

chris19 February, 2014

u r d most biased football fan. i think u watched the matched on a 14″ black n white tele. next time watch it on coloured screen